Top-level domains could become important factor in ranking, online brand visibility

by Krishna Rao

Today, the new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), the thousands of new domain extensions such as '.photography', '.london' etc., that will be flooding into the market over the next few months, took a step forward and entered a new phase where they are open to applications from anyone.

So are the new gTLDs set to shake-up the way businesses pick names for their websites and when it comes to their online presence and being visible to Google searches, are there any benefits to be had?

gTLDs open up the possibility of the TLD becoming an important ranking factor in the future, particularly for the truly 'generic' gTLDs (i.e. not brand gTLDs). What's more, Bunn points out that if Google does use the TLD as a ranking factor, this will most likely be used to categorise the topic of a site.

What do gTLDs mean for SEO?

According to Bunn, as yet, there are no particular SEO benefits from the TLD. He points out that search engines don't read the domain extension as having any keyword relevance (yet). The only thing they use the extension for is to work out regional relevance. In any other respect there as yet has been no indication that search engines will treat generic extensions any differently to a normal extension.

Furthermore, notes Bunn, there would be drawbacks from moving to a new gTLD domain just like any other migration. For example it will have no links or history, which among other things aids in building online visibility and ranking in the search engine results.

He points out that even migrating correctly would entail a temporary period of suppressed ranks of up to six weeks. In addition, a permanent loss of 10-15% of link value lost in the 301 redirect 'hop'.

gTLDs open up the possibility that the TLD could be an important ranking factor in the future. According to Bunn however, the new gTLDs open up the possibility that the TLD could be an important ranking factor in the future, particularly for the truly 'generic' gTLDs (i.e. not brand gTLDs).

For example, you can imagine that sites on a .london domain could conceivably be rewarded and rank better for queries containing 'london' and also queries identified as being about London or having regional relevance to London. The fact that the application process is controlled so you must be a business actually based in London, makes it more likely that search engines will consider this For this to happen, the gTLDs will have to become a broadly used and widely available ?standard? for companies operating in a certain sector or location, administered by impartial companies, organisations or associations. For this reason, the search engines will understandably want to see how gTLDs play out in the next year or so before making a decision either way.

If Google does use the TLD as a ranking factor, this will most likely be used to categorise the topic of a site.

What has Google said?

Not a lot so far. This is about the extent of what Google's strategic partnerships director, Hal Bailey, has said with regards to how Google?s search engine will deal with .brand gTLDs, a common focus for brand owners:

"We look for signals for what is the most important search query."

Bailey added that simply having a .brand does not mean it will automatically go to the top of Google's ranking for relevant searches.

Speaking about .brands, Bailey said:

We dont see an immediate impact ... but it might become a relevant signal.

So what are the next steps for businesses?

Now we are starting to get to the point of actually being able to buy domains on the new TLDs, it's important for businesses to consider potential domain names they may want to grab. The 'land grab' so far for TLDs has been pretty tame compared to the one that will be coming in the next few months for actual domains on those TLDs.

Alongside appraising reputation and management issues when mapping out TLD variations, Greenlight's Bunn advises businesses to consider getting at least brand variations of the TLDs on the expectation they could be valuable in future and are important to have to avoid domain name squatters holding brands to ransom for obviously relevant extensions.

Adam Bunn is Director of SEO at Greenlight where he is responsible for the strategic direction of firm's SEO consultancy and link building products and services. Adam also oversees Greenlight's internal SEO training programme, provides training for the likes of the IDM and is a regular speaker at industry events such as Search Engine Strategies.

Greenlight is a leading independent, award winning search marketing specialist and technology firm, the largest of its kind in Europe and the fastest growing. With over 100 blue-chip clients including Santander, Vodafone UK, New Look, Interflora, Co-operative Financial Services, Nespresso and ghd, Greenlight is a leader in the search marketing space, and is recognized worldwide for its commitment to delivering record ROI for its clients and investing in the future of search. Greenlight is considered the premier thought leader in the sector, publishing widely read industry reports, original research, speaking at trade events, and delivering a highly respected search training programme in conjunction with the IDM. Founded in 2001, Greenlight is headquartered in London, with offices in New York. www.greenlightsearch.com

DTG(TM) and 60-Second Windows(TM) have been published continuously online since 1988. The Design & Publishing Center is a Spam-Free web site and welcomes your articles, comments and contributions. Graphic-Design.com and The Design & Publishing Center is a wholly owned subsidiary of Showker, Inc., TA. Showker Graphic Arts & Design, and is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia; in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, USA, established in 1972. 540-433-8402.